Friday, June 10, 2011

Chapter #4... Now Let's Explore! Freebies Galore!

Well it is finally my turn as I wrap up the year and start packing up my classroom. I feel honored to have the opportunity to discuss this chapter with the blogging community I have grown to love and respect so much.

A big shout out to Deedee Wills since this was her vision and I hope this meets her expectations. Maybe this book will help us to bring more joy into our classrooms. ﻿

The party begins right here so link up with me.
Get some coffee (diet soda) , new printer ink for the downloads, and send the hubby out with the kiddos.
This chapter is big and I hope it gives you some ideas to take back to school in the Fall.
Here are my rambling thoughts on the key points in this chapter and there were so many.Beginning Number Concepts:
Beginning number concepts are crucial and lay the groundwork for all mathematical understandings.
This involves more than rote counting or the ability to identify symbols. (Don't you love the parent that tells you their child is great at numbers because they can count to 10, without any help?) How do we help our children with one-one correspondence, conservation of number, and number sense?1. We need to provide lots of experiences with numbers in a variety of settings (large group, small group, or independently at MWS with a partner.)

Here are a set of cards to use as part of your daily routine. Download here. Check out the dot cards I am offering so your kids can make their own to practice with. Grab those right here.

Next year I will post these on my website for parents to use at home.

﻿Another whole group activity I use for a quick whole group warm-up: I practice recognizing and ordering numbers from 1-10 by having kids wear these around their neck and putting themselves in order and saying,

"My number is ___." Hey, now I realize I need to make another set with dots so they cna order themselves and pair-up.) I can't wait to watch this!

I am also the queen of routine cards such as I have... Who has...? The kids love this and put them in a pocket chart as we read them. TIP: Everyone gets a card to keep them engaged!

Tell me some of the strategies you use.

2. What do these stations look like?

Debbie gives us lots of examples of this and reminds us to use what we already have in an organized,differentiated manner- storing materials in a numbered container. It's time to clean out the math closet!

Great Idea: "I Can" Chart: I love this idea and will implement it next year using photos to keep kids on task.

Remember to lead the kids to create these with you so you have real buy in.

This is great for behavior management and is a better option than screaming!

What strategies do you have for crowd control?I have a laminated flow map with classroom procedures in pictures for students to use when working independently. Now I realize it needs to be more explicit.

Beginning Number Concepts: Check out your own grade level but she was "spot-on" about kindergarten. Does her list represent your standards? I would eliminate those that do not since I have such limited time. However, I could do better with some of these and I will work on buffing up some of these stations or reinventing them to make them more interesting.

For comparing numbers to 10 I give kids individual number cards and they build their number with unifix cubes and compare their tower to the partner next to them. They have to say something like "I have 6 cubes and David has 2. My tower is bigger. My number is more." David might say, "My number is less." This builds their academic vocabulary and is great "math talk." I need to have our kids practice this orally all the time.Do you encourage "math talk?" How? I want to hear from teachers who work with second language learners.

What the kids do at these stations: What do these stations look like in your room? she reminds us that kids need to count for a purpose (applause). Some good tips: (keep pieces in baggy), limit how many manipulatives you give children, and remember to differentiate for different ability levels. How can you differentiate? Obviously you can do this with a range of response sheets. Store them in zilplocks and label them so kids understand what to use ( red dot: easy yellow dot: average, and green: most complex) I will work on this more. Directions could be more or less demanding too. What are your thoughts?She mentions a variety of ways to teach deeper understandings of numberquantity- good suggestions. I made circle maps for kinder teachers to use later in the year to check their understandings (cut and paste style). Firsties can start the year using these (good assement of number knowledge). So to keep you invested I have these. Get them right here.

With them I have provided "math talk'" cards﻿ kindergarten students should be able to read themselves, fairly early in the year. Is this getting better? Take a break and text a friend or play Angry Birds on your ipad.

Remember these? Now you can have them. Thanks for sticking with me through this ridiculously long posting.﻿ Download and enjoy these.

Station Ideas: offers concrete suggestions for differentiation (Did your light bulb go on like mine?) Now I see what she really means by this!

Board Games you already have (dust them off0 that require counting / differentiate with more difficult number cube pr spinner with more and less. Wow, so obvious but not to me. So addthis to your station to make it more challenging (duh).

Domino work: We all have them so now lets use them in a variety of ways as suggested here.

Five and Ten Frame Game: such a clever way to teach addition combos Would you like a set of these with "math talk" cards that go with it? how about a blank template as an extra bonus?Grab your mouse and click here.

Didn't you love this idea? I though it was so clever and worth teaching as a whole group activity, practice in small groups, and let them use it as part of a station. Maybe I am starting to get this.

Okay coffee break time. If you are bored just download all the freebies and go out shopping. Retail therapy rocks! Otherwise there is more to come. Remember, I warned you so don't gripe.

Memory or Go Fish Games: Here is where I think you can create cards based on the theme in your classroom. I have a download for you but I also made a mat so your kids could work in a controlled space. Kinderkids need this to be successful. Yup, you guessed it- another download with directions. Here is your copy.

Comparing Games: My kids love using decks of cards (It starts to look like Vegas in my room) to play games and Debbie also reminds us to use numeral cards you already have as well as dominoes. She mentions ten grid cards which I found on-line. These look like a great addition to the mix.

Graphing Activities: Again this is a big favorite with five year olds where you sort "stuff" which I like to store in little cloth bags (Brighton Jewelry bags are perfect) Raid your child's room for little plastic animals, small toys- all the junk you are dying to throw away! The dollars stores have tons of this stuff. Warning -you might have to do a pocket check at the end of the day (LOL). You can even use coins for graphing and sorting. Ms. Diller offers more possibilities for math talk cards to support this activity and I bet an " I Can " chart would keep them from just playing with the junk! Right?

What do you like to use? Hint: Check your old Math Their Way manuals for ideas.

Surveys: Talk about authentic data collections. I use to do and now I am going back and adding it to my morning opening. Here's another opportunity to connect to your current themeand for ELL's your questions will help to build their background of knowledge and academic language (those tests are around the corner0.

Counting Books: Okay, I confess that I will be dragging these out of the closet and making an attempt to get them in the hands of kids. Students should make their own counting books too- great addition to writing center Remember to teach them how to create these You could make dictionaries with number words and store in page protectors to use with them.

Okay I am taking a break to go work out. but before I go look at this:

and

These are counting books I made for you to use early in the year. You can use dot markers, color in the boxes, or dip the eraser on the back of a pencil into a stamp pad for recording purposes. Mini stampers would also work. I think adding a physical component helps them to understand that one-to- one correspondence and cuts down on impulsive counting. Counting Dots is a free download. Remember to fold each page in half with the fold to the outside. Stack the pages and use a colored strip on the side. Get it?

I warned you about printer ink. I went a bit crazy but hey I was anxious... I'm just hoping you can use these things.

Do you know about "foldies" made from a single sheet of paper? They rock! I create millions of this during the year and eventually the kids make them by themselves. They adore these (not sure why). Now you can focus on simple counting ones and kids can make them independently.

Big Books: I have not made math big books but I have many that I have created for our ELA program using repetitive text. Now my brain is humming... Does anyone want to create these and post them on their blog? Debbie suggests making these authentic through the use of photos. The kids decide on the objects to compare. Great idea but no time right now...I will put this on my "to do" list that is growing by leaps and bounds. Get out the digital camera. Problem: Do you create new books each year? Here is another opportunity to use repetitive text and sight words you want your students to learn.

Ordinal Numbers: I loved the idea of using this for retelling a story. I do this verbally all the time with a Flow Map . I never thought about matching to ordinal numbers- can put right under the map. Love it when you blend math and reading together.

Practice With Writing Numbers: Confession: I do not take enough time to do this in a structured and consistent manner. My time is so limited that this tends to get neglected. A good strategy for practice is to have the kids use wipe-off boards. So, you guessed it. I am sharing a number book I make every year and spiral bind so it lasts over time. Want it? Here it is but it's big!

We roll dice and graph numbers too. Kids never get tired of this. Remember to use playdough for making numbers and the kids can put it right on top of laminated cards. Use the ol' snake rolling technique.Sounds like fun.

What activities for number writing practice do your kids like?

Check out the list of suggested materials to teach number concepts and be sure to check out the Picture Glossary

Remember to label manipulatives and store them in separate containers (this will cost you millions).

CHANGE THESE OUT TO KEEP THINGS INTERESTING!

Model: before you release the little darlings to work at these stations or you will be sorry and anyhow,

who wants yo scream like a nut at young children? Nope, you can not skip this and it might need to be repeated numerous times. When the children are not using materials in a meaningful way you need to go back and model what you expect.

Use anchor charts generated by the children to deepen their understandings and to scaffold their learning.

This is a fantastic strategy for English Language learners.

Problem Solving: Interesting section with great suggestions for open ended strategies.

Here are some counting mats to use for such activities.

Here are some counting mats to use when you want to tell a math story. The children can use related manipulatives to solve the problem. Small toys, cubes, or counters work well for this activity. This is a great bridge between using oral language and problem solving. Differentiation would be simple here. For the youngest child you could say, "show me 6" and for a student with more number sense simple addition and subtraction could be done. The mats can be downloaded right here.

Counting Money: Debbie emphasizes counting for a purpose so working with coins is a worthwhile activity to include in your math stations. We all recognize the importance of using real money and I have created a simple sorting map for coins. More capable students can add the totals in each column of the mat. An anchor chart is also recommended but I am thinking you can make it on a regular sheet of paper, put it in a page protector, and include it right in your station tub! I do not have that much wall space. Any other thoughts? Ahoy... Here is my plunder. There are lots of ideas in this section to check out.

Once again there is conversation about materials and containers to use but this has already been presented.

Make use of what you already have and limit the amounts you give little ones or they might start flying through the air. You know exactly what I mean.

If you made it to the end of this post I am impressed. If you downloaded the freebies and put them in your notebook, I salute your organizational skills. It will take me 2 weeks to clean up my computer area! If you got at least one idea I would appreciate a comment or two. If you want to blog about this chapter I will do a "Happy Dance" because you are probably on your vacation. Link up to me when you are ready. I look forward to hearing from you and will try to read all the posts. If you loved this post please take my button and become my BFF. Please have a restful summer that is well deserved.

See you in Vegas!

Fran Kramer

Math Work Stations: Chapter #4; Beginning Number Concepts Work Stations

Fran,You are truly a "STAR" in my eyes. You amaze me with all of your talents. Thank you so very much for inspiring me to create and differentiate for my students in fun and creative ways. I have already posted my creations on my blog. I gave you credit where I modified yours! Thank you!

Thanks so much Fran.........you inspire me!! I returned to the classroom in December this past year and your blog has helped me more than you know. I love my little kinder kids so much and enjoy helping them learn and grow. You've helped me learn and grow.

thank you for the wonderful downloads, I can't wait to catch up to everyone on the book. I'm only on chapter 2 since we just got out of school but I will forge ahead to get caught up. Your ideas are fantastic and I look forward to trying them in my classroom.

W...O...W!!!!!!!!!Thank you Fran SOOOOO much for all of your hard work in these freebies and your time in explaining this chapter!Your work truley inspires me to be better at what I do with my kinders!Jennie from Indiana

With the release of common core standards I have to admit that I am nervous about teaching that kind of depth and number sense. These ideas and downloads truly help to lay that foundation that is intended by the common core. Thank you for your hard work and also for being so generous with your resources. You have an amazing talent!

HOLY GUACAMOLE! ~~~Fran is a rock star!I was at a "Mother Goose Cares About Math" training yesterday and told everyone about your blog. I showed off some of your mats, but today's post transcends all expectations.THANK YOU!!!

WOW... for making my dreams come true. I find that I have a mathematical mind that makes me first lay out my thoughts in charts and organize it first. I envy you with all your fun,yet deep ideas. If you look at my chart about what my station tubs will contain... it's the beautiful materials that you've created. I just made sure it coordinates with Everyday Math Curricular Materials first. I hope I can share some fun ideas on my blog soon as the chart is behind me! splitmultigradeclassroom.blogspot.com.Deborah

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Our state is going to CCSS (common core). We haven't really had much training, just have the standards and the summer to figure it all out. I notice money isn't in there at all for first and k but second jumps in using money in problem solving....any thoughts? What are yall planning to do with core?

Blogger is not letting me leave comments on your blogs so I am praying you come back and look at this. Thank you for so much love and support. I really aprreciate all of you. I am so frustrated by this.

A BIG Thank you! Of all days, my printer is broken...:( I'm actually still waiting for my book to come in the mail. Hopefully I can catch up soon! Thanks for all you do for our kids. You're a blessing!

Thank you so much Fran. Your resources are like gold and they have reinvigorated the way I teach maths in my classroom. Thank you for being so giving in sharing your expertise with us, it is so appreciated.

Thank you Fran for such a superb chapter review. Your resources are like gold and have reinvigorated the way that I teach Maths in my classroom. Thank you for the wonderful way in which you are so willing to share what you develop with us.Sal

Thank you so much for your time and dedication to this chapter. Work stations are new to me and I am enjoying this book study. I CANNOT wait to use these activities next year, especially the number book. I can totally relate to you in not having a consistent way or the time to teach number writing how I should. You are awesome and a true teacher who gives so much of yourself. Thanks again and enjoy your summer.

Thank you for the great work and the wonderful ideas. Too many times this area of early math gets glossed over and the kids pay for it later. I am organizing my works for the next school year so that I can immediately pull and work with the students. I am in a Montessori classroom so these will be great extensions to the established works. Thanks again. I wish I could be in Vegas with you but not this year. Money is tight. Our budget in Florida has taken a huge hit. Our school lost almost a million dollars.

Thank you, thank you for sharing!! And such fabulous ideas, too. Switching to Common Core this year, and we'r working to do more in depth with numbers and this is just want we needed to get the ideas flowing. I will definitely be checking back for more great ideas.Thanks again.

Amazing!! You've generously created some wonderful downloads. And I've grabbed them all! I did notice while scrolling through your Learning to Write Numbers & Count Book that pages for numbers 9 and 19 (dare I say it?) may have errors. Would you be willing to edit? Thanks for your thoughtful math "thinks".

Hey Fran,I saw you're having trouble leaving comments on blogs.....I was too and then I read about switching to google chrome and every since i've been able to comment - give it a try and see if that fixes it! :-)

Wow! I am just in awe of you! I still have 6.5 more days in my kinder friends before graduation but I am so excited for Next year! Our state has changed all our standard to common core where we don't have to teach colors,shapes,patterns or number recognition!!!! But I ave to teach them to add and subtract by January!!! I would love to chat more with you about your I can and anchor charts. I have never used them before! Thanks again for these amazing downloads!! KristinaKclark@bataviacsd.org

You can totally be my new BFF, lol. This post was AMAZING! Thank you so much for taking the time and for all of the free stuff! I don't have my printer hooked up yet but luckily I was able to save in my googledocs. You're the best!~Crystalwww.kreativeinkinder@blogspot

Amazing what you have done. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. Math is my favorite subject to teach and I am so looking forward to sharing these great ideas with my students. These activities will keep them engaged!

OMG Fran! You are so awesome, you totally rock!!!!! Thank you so much for ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!! You almost make me wish school wasn't over so I could use all these fabulous resources. (notice I said "almost"! heehee!)

WOW-- High Five to you!!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the chapter as well as all of those resources! As I am reading this many many things are running through my mind- 1) I am going to tweak my morning work to include graphing activity 2) I am thinking of making a handful of your practicing writing #'s book and have that be a part of "If Done Do this" basket 3) when can I get my classroom keys and access to school printer? lol

Thanks so much!! So many great ideas! A few of your down loads would not load for me-123,Count With Me, Foldies and Learning to write Numbers. Could you e-mail these to me. Also, I teach 1st and would love to have these resources with larger numbers. Would you be willing to make them and put them on TPT?Thanks for all your hard work,Barbarameadowt@msn.com

Fran - I would look ridiculous if I put all of the "exclamation marks" that I'd like to use on this post!!! I was excited while reading this chapter, but seeing your comments and your creations is making my heart skip a beat! Thank you for being YOU!!! You're such a generous teacher friend!!~Tracy

Fran! OMG! I can't believe you accomplished all this at the end of your school year too! I could barely keep my eyes open as we finished up the year. I am so, so impressed. You are one amazing lady. Let me know when you're ready to take your stuff on the road and do some presentations or inservices. We're always looking for speakers...

These things are WONDERFUL! Thank you so much! I have a collegue coming down to kindergarten this next fall from 2nd grade and have demanded that she get over here and start downloading! We appreciate your work and freebies! Thanks a million!!

Fran - this is amazing. I have been catching up on old posts and can't wait to sit down and start printing and organizing. I too have a love for binders, labels, etc. (let's be honest - any office supply haha!).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and definitely creating all of the freebies! I am so excited for math this year!!!

Fran - You are AmAzInG!!!! Thank you for all of your help. I have learned SOOOO much from you. I would love to see you in action - your classroom must be a wonderful place! Thanks for helping me put Debbie Diller's ideas in action. I absolutely love reading what you post - you make it seem like you are right next to me! I can't thank you enough!

I really hope you know how AWESOME you are!!!! Oh my gosh how do you even make all of these things???? They are fabulous!! Thank you so much for your in depth explanation and great printables!!! I wish I were as creative as you!!!!!

Fran you are amazing!!! You have made me excited to begin the new year (in August!!).Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!!We are starting the common core standards, but not until next year. I am still required, for this year, to teach numbers to 30. So I, like meadowt, was wondering if you have created any of these activites with higher numbers? I would be SOOOO willing to pay for them on TPT.-just a thought

Wow. Just. Wow.I am going to be teaching K for the first time next year after many years at various other elementary grades. I have been checking out lots of K blogs, but yours is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!

Your post made me SO EXCITED to teach math next year! I haven't posted my thoughts about chapter four yet, but I just picked up my math teacher's manual and it is SO boring - no games in sight! So thank god for you!!!

Hey Fran,Obviously you know that I adore all of the fabulous things you do! I even went out and bought that new printer today so I could print it all and get it organized. I am running into a problem and I am not sure if it is on the document end or my computer/printer. I open some of the docs in googledocs and they look fine, but then when I print them some of the words are missing. This happened with the lady bug game, the counting dots book and the 123 count with me book. If you have any ideas how to fix this let me know! Thanks so much for all you have out here!Aliciawww.mrssetherskindergarten.blogspot.comamgriffith11@hotmail.com

I feel like it is my birthday or Christmas! Thank you, Fran for sharing these with us! I am going to Vegas too for the I Teach K conference! Would love to meet you!!Jeneawww.seedsofnoledge.blogspot.comKindergarten Teacher

Fran,I couldn't wait to see your post on Chapter 4. I was like a kid in a candy shop reading all the awesome ideas! You are so talented and you can tell you love teaching. I have a question for you about the conference in Vegas?Is it a dynamite adventure to attend? I priced everything out tonight and I'm ready to pack my bags, but want I want to make sure it is worth attending. I wish you were presenting! I'd love to meet you in person if I do attend. I do not have a blog set up, but I'd love to chat with you about the conference in more depth.My email is Shannons@Friscoisd.orgYou Rock!

OMG...I feel like I just hit the JACKPOT!!! I found your blog through another blog I follow and I'm so glad I pressed my way through. Kudos to you for taking the time not only to do all of the leg work, but then to share all of your hard work with the rest of us!! I am going into my second year and it will be my first year teaching kindergarten...thank you immensely for the resources!!!

Thank you so much!! You are amazing!! I will be teaching kindergarten again after being moved to 2nd a few years ago. I am so excited and can't wait to try all your wonderful ideas. Thanks again!!Rachel

Fran, I am new to the kindergarten blog thing. I just made my own blog but don't have any posts yet. I am so glad I stumbled onto your blog. I have bookmarked it and look at it almost daily, just to make sure I don't miss anything. Your are truly a talented teacher and I am so excited to use the materials you have created in my kindergarten class this year. Thanks for all you have done.

You did an awesome job summarizing that information-packed chapter! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work putting all of these FREE downloads in one post. Can't wait to start printing them out and fitting them into the curriculum for next year.Just Add Clipart

Wow, this was amazing. All of your number sense activities are absolutely perfect for kinder, and even MORE so now that we have to implement common core standards that are heavy on numbers and number sense. Thank you so much for sharing all your fabulous ideas!!

Great Post. Love the book. I also love the idea of posting the dot cards on my class website next year for parents to print off and use at home. I am always looking for more resources to put on my class website for parents

I cannot wait to use the circle maps in my classroom. I am going to teach it by creating chart paper size circle maps for each number. I will then laminate each page and put them in book. Each square will have velcro and students will be able to use this book in a center. They will have to match the squares to the right page. Great way to practice counting and make a reusable center.Thanks:)!

I feel like a kid in a candy store! Thanks so much for all the wonderful freebies! We are teaching thinking maps this year and the circle map is our first one to teach. Can't wait to use all the good stuff you provided!

I'm a Grade One teacher,and so appreciate that you are knowledgeable and have applied Deb Miller's principles. Teachers I have encountered hate the "new math", however the ten frames and other number work mats you have complied, really help to establish those all TOO important beginning number concepts that provide the foundation for addition, subtraction and more!! I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you!!!

I am AMAZED at all the stuff you have created. I really can't WAIT to get started on Math this year... and that says a lot coming from someone who admittedly HATED to teach math to kids until last school year!!!

Thanks for all the ideas in graphics. My team mate and I are adding number words with numerals and the dots or visual symbols. We think this enhances the work for our second graders. It creates the link between symbol and language.

Geez. What else is left to say?!!? You are one of the most creative, generous teachers I know. And really, I don't even know you. But if I did, I would be coming over to your house with a pitcher of pina coladas (or your personal fave)!!!! :-) I have no blog but truly am grateful for all the free help you have given me and my Kinders for years to come. I kinda missed the Math Study group this summer but am going to start it on my own this week. Thanks again and have a great school year!

Fran-you are an amazing teacher! You helped ease my transition from upper (5th) to lower grades (kinder). Thank so much for your inspiration. I had to create a file called "FRANtic Ideas" just to keep up. Thanks for making kindergarten so exciting.

I know that everyone has already said thank you and has told you how amazing you are but I just had to post a comment too and say thank you!! I couldn't just take all of those great freebies without leaving a comment. I think that it is so nice that you take the time to create these documents and then share them with everybody! That is what teaching is all about:) Thank you!!!What I Learned in Kindergarten

So glad that Kinder Kraziness linked to this post today - This must have been right before I discovered your blog - what a treasure trove of freebies!! As always they are fabulous! We just finished 0-5, but I can't wait to pull out some of these fun this to continue reinforcing, especially for the kiddos that are still struggling with identifying let alone anything else yet.

I am so late. I wish I had caught this sooner. I love this idea. Thank you for sharing it with us, and love the freebies too. I spend a LOT of money on ink and cardstock and technology. I am now a follower. Even though i teach first i still get a lot of babies lacking these skills

I love the fonts you use! Are they all DJ inkers? I am really interested in the bold outlined one you use to color in! All of the letters look to be formed correctly which is super important for kindergarten? Can you please share with me what that font is?

Ohmigoodness math downloads jackpot! Thank you for sharing your stream of consciousness with us! I have been working on starting guided math groups this year and this has been a wonderful resource for me!

Wow, Fran...you are amazing! I worked on Daily 5 last year so this is my year to work on Math Stations! I have spent all day today gathering your wonderful materials and feel like I have the first 2 months of school ready to go. Thanks for devoting your time to your wonderful blog!

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